Lot # 2256: 1904 Boston Nationals (vs. New York Giants) Scorecard with Christy Mathewson

Rare 1904 Boston Beaneaters fold-over scorecard issued for a game against the New York Giants. The preprinted lineups include McGann, Devlin, Mathewson, and Dahlen for New York, and Tenney, Abbaticchio, Delahanty and Moran for Boston. Neatly scored in both ink and pencil to record a 10-5 win by New York. Although the scorecard is not dated, research indicates that the only 10-5 road victory by the Giants over Boston in 1904 occurred in the game played on May 5. The Giants won a franchise-record 106 games in 1904, finishing 13 games in front of Chicago. However, despite a previous agreement between the two leagues, the Giants refused to meet the American League champion Boston Pilgrims in the World Series. In a statement issued by Giants owner John T. Brush, and supported by John McGraw, he disparages the American League by saying the Giants “are entitled to the honor of champions of the United States without being called upon to contend with or recognize clubs from minor leagues.” It was the only year since the start of the modern World Series in 1903, with the exception of the strike-torn season of 1994, that the Series was not played. The program (7.5 x 9.5 inches; unfolded) is toned and displays clear tape in repair to a split along the spine. A pencil notation ("Boston NL 1904") appears on the front cover. In Fair condition overall.